Oedipus the King
Pre-reading Questions
CCPE/T. Schafer
Part One:
1.
Would you want to have your future told to you?
Why/why not?
2.
If somebody had the ability to time travel and they came back and told you information about your
future that was quite unpleasant, what would you do? (For example, they told you that you would die at
the age of 55 in an automobile accident...)
3.
Do you believe your future is determined by fate or free will? Explain.
4.
Do you believe the truth should always be told no matter the cost? Why/why not?
5.
What do you think are the three most important characteristics of an effective leader? Rank according to
order of importance.
6.
What do you believe is your greatest personality flaw? How has this flaw had a negative impact on you
or your family/friends in the past?
7.
Explain the meaning of the following quote: “You don’t do it because you choose to, you do it because
you’re supposed to.”
8.
Explain the meaning of the following quote: “The universe has a way of course connecting.”
9.
Have you ever completely trusted a stranger? What happened? If not, do you think you’d be able to?
Why/why not?
10.
Is it a parent’s job to care for his/her child more than for him/herself? Explain.
11.
Should children be loyal to their parents no matter what the cost? Explain.
12.
Children are fated to carry on their parents’ legacies, be they good or bad. Do you agree or disagree?
Explain.
13.
Families forgive, period. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
14.
Can intelligence ever become a negative trait? Explain.
15.
Based on the background story you learned about Oedipus, who or what it to blame for him being
married to his mother? Justify your answer.
Part Two:
AGREE
1. There is only one way to “see” things.
2. There is such a thing as “fate.” A person has the ability to change his/her fate.
DISAGREE
3. If we are true to ourselves, and act on our true feelings (good or bad) we will
always be able to handle the consequences.
4. Family secrets should NEVER be shared outside the family.
5. If you are in a position of power, you should be exempt from following certain
rules/consequences.
6. We should always work toward bettering our community even if it is ourselves
that we must change.
7. Your parents’/family’s reputation heavily impacts you/your own reputation.
8. It is easier to place blame on those around us than to look inside ourselves.
9. I believe in coincidence.
10. There is a fine line between pride and arrogance. Having too much pride is evil.
Part Three:
Consider the following flaws: ARROGANCE….. AMBITION…. PRIDE….
1.
Are the above personality traits flaws? Why/why not? If not, when do they become personality flaws?
2.
Brainstorm names of famous people who have possessed one or more of the above FLAWS for each of
the following categories:
Sports/Entertainment:
Politics:
History:
Literature:
3. Lastly, look at the pictures Mrs. Schafer has posted. Observe them closely and make two predictions
about what they might mean or portray in Oedipus the King.